Dec. 28, 2012

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Written by

Josh Awtry

Web editor's note: Over the next few days, the Coloradoan is releasing a list of top stories of the year as voted on by the readers. The full list will run in Sunday's Coloradoan.

Two-way traffic on Mason Street? What’s next, a bus that will spirit riders from Harmony Road to Old Town in 20 minutes?

Yes, actually, but not until April 2014. This year, Fort Collins residents saw the first major changes to prepare the way for the MAX Bus Rapid Transit System. Look beyond the roadwork and you’ll see signs of growth along the Mason Corridor — a new student housing project, plans for a railroad overpass near Whole Foods, construction of a new downtown MAX station.

The long-term vision for MAX is yet to be realized, but in 2012, the groundwork was literally laid.